What does pet insurance cover?

Key takeaways

• Pet insurance usually covers unexpected vet treatment if your pet becomes ill or is injured

• Routine care, vaccinations, neutering and pre-existing conditions are not usually covered as standard

• What you can claim for depends on your policy type, cover limit, excess and exclusions

What does pet insurance cover?

Pet insurance usually covers unexpected costs if your pet becomes ill, is injured or needs emergency treatment.

The exact cover depends on your policy, but most pet insurance policies include the following:

Does pet insurance cover dental treatment?

Pet insurance can cover dental treatment, but the level of cover varies between insurers. Some policies cover dental treatment caused by illness or injury, while others only cover accidental dental damage.

Routine dental care is not usually covered, so it's important to check your policy wording.

Does pet insurance cover behavioural treatment?

Some pet insurance policies cover behavioural treatment if your pet develops issues such as anxiety, aggression or compulsive behaviours. However, any cover may be subject to conditions, such as a referral from a vet, and might also have specific claim limits.

Does pet insurance cover complementary therapies?

Certain insurers include complementary treatments such as physiotherapy, hydrotherapy or acupuncture, but they're usually only covered when recommended by a vet as part of treatment for a covered illness or injury.

Does pet insurance cover a lost or missing pet?

Some policies can help with costs if your pet goes missing or is stolen, which may include advertising costs, reward expenses or a contribution towards the purchase price of your pet, depending on the insurer and policy terms.

Does pet insurance cover third-party liability?

Third-party liability cover is commonly included with dog insurance policies, and it can help cover costs if your dog injures someone or damages their property - but cover limits and exclusions might vary between insurers.

Does pet insurance cover euthanasia or cremation costs?

Some insurers contribute towards euthanasia, cremation or burial costs. The amount covered and the circumstances in which you can claim will depend on your policy, so check the terms carefully before buying.

What isn't usually covered by pet insurance?

Most pet insurance policies do not cover routine or preventative care as standard, while other common exclusions are:

• Vaccinations

• Routine check-ups

• Neutering or spaying

• Flea, worm and tick treatment

• Grooming

• Nail clipping

• Food and general pet supplies

• Pregnancy and birth

• Pre-existing conditions

• Claims made during the policy waiting period

Some insurers offer optional extras for things like dental treatment, travel or lost pet advertising. These can cost more, so check whether you need them before adding them to your policy.

Are pre-existing conditions covered?

No, standard pet insurance does not usually cover pre-existing conditions. You may still be able to get specialist pre-existing condition pet insurance, but it can cost more and may come with extra limits or waiting periods.

A pre-existing condition is an illness, injury or symptom your pet had before the policy started. For example, if your dog already has arthritis or your cat has already been diagnosed with diabetes, a standard policy may exclude treatment linked to that condition.

What types of pet insurance can I choose from?

There are four main types of pet insurance: accident-only, time-limited, maximum benefit and lifetime cover.

Accident-only cover

Accident-only pet insurance covers treatment if your pet is injured in an accident. It does not usually cover illness, so it offers less protection than other policy types.

Time-limited cover

Time-limited pet insurance covers each illness or injury for a set period, usually 12 months. Once the time limit ends, that condition is no longer covered.

Maximum-benefit cover

Maximum-benefit pet insurance gives you a fixed amount to claim for each illness or injury. Once the money limit is used up, that condition is no longer covered.

Lifetime cover

Lifetime pet insurance can cover ongoing conditions as long as they started after the policy began and you keep renewing each year. It usually gives broader protection, but it can cost more.

How much cover do I need?

You should try to take out enough cover for the vet bills you would struggle to pay yourself - be sure to consider:

• Vet fee limit: The maximum amount your insurer will pay towards treatment

• Policy type: Whether the policy covers illness, accidents or ongoing conditions

• Excess: How much you pay towards a claim

• Co-payment: Whether you need to pay a percentage of each claim

• Exclusions: Anything the policy will not cover

• Annual or condition limits: Whether the claim limit resets or stops once used

A cheaper policy may work for short-term costs, but it could leave you paying more yourself if your pet develops a long-term condition.

Is pet insurance worth it?

Pet insurance can be worth it if you want help paying unexpected vet bills. According to the Association of British Insurers, pet insurers paid out a record £1.23bn in claims in 2024, and the average claim cost was £685.

📣 Did you know? ABI data shows pet insurers handled 1.8 million claims in 2024, equal to around 4,900 claims a day.

Insurance will not cover everything, and you may never claim - but it can help protect you from large, unexpected bills if your pet becomes ill or is injured.

Does pet insurance cover older cats and dogs?

Yes, many insurers offer pet insurance for older cats and dogs, although cover can become more expensive as pets age. Older pets are more likely to develop health conditions and need veterinary treatment, which can increase the cost of insurance.

Some insurers may also apply higher excesses, introduce co-payments or limit the types of cover available for senior pets. If you're insuring an older pet, it's worth comparing policies carefully and checking:

• Whether there are upper age limits for new policies

• If a co-payment applies once your pet reaches a certain age

• The annual vet fee limit

• Whether ongoing conditions can continue to be covered

• Any exclusions that apply to older pets

Lifetime cover is often the most comprehensive option for older pets because it can continue to cover eligible long-term conditions year after year, provided you renew the policy and the condition first developed after the policy started.

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